POST-WAR TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10087, 28 September 1918, Page 7

POST-WAR TRADE

UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA STATEMENT BY SECRETARY FOR INTERIOR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Receivod September 27, 8-30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 26. Mr Lane, Secretary for the Interior, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, said he was delighted at Australia's decision to establish offices in America. Such a step would be a tremendous advantage to Australia, whoso possibilities the United States was only beginning to realise. "We re gard Australia as a full-brother," he 6aid. "Our relations in the next few years will improve more rapidly than during the last fifty years. The Anzaes' magnificent work in the war had foiged a link with ourselves which can never be broken. One year hence we will probably have four million of our boys. on the West front mixing with the Australians, thus understanding one another bettor, and strengthening the common ties. The Panama Canal brings Australia nearer in a shipping sense, and greatly increases the possibilities of trade. We expect Australia to co-operate with us in developing this commerce. Mr Hughes's brilliant .speeches! and activities, have made him one of the most prominent visitors this side of the Pacific, and his efforts on behalf of Australia will have far-reach-ing results, t am deeply interested in Australia's timely plans for repatriation after the war, and the work of the British Immigration League. America is contemplating similar measures, and applying a million dollars to the preliminary programme." Mr Redfield. Secretary for Commerce, said that since Mr Hughes's, visit and his announcement of Australians intention to have sDeoial representation iri the United States, the officials at Washington had taken greatly increased interest in the possibilities of trade between Australia and America. "I believe." he said, "Australia's waste spaces are capable of great development. Forty years ago "we had large tracts of country which were pronounced to he desert and absolutely worthless. This Jand now represents several prosperous States. Australia by the application of scientific methods of development and with a greatly-in-creased population can expect similar results. Her plans to repatriate soldiers after the war should help to provide a rural population, as the majority of the men would not return to city avocations. More people will be attracted to Australia by increased trade through the Panama Canal. One of our first tasks as soon as ships are available will bo tho removal of Australia's tremendous surplus wheat. Tho visits of Mr Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will lead to a better understanding. I an? hopeful that return visits of American . statesmen will he paid to Australasia.' 1 IRISH REBELS THE AUSTRALIAN SEVEN DETENTION TO BE CONTINUED. By Telepraph—Press Association—Copyright MELBOURNE, September 27. . Tho report of the Royal Commission!; wMdh inquired into the cases of the seven interned Irishmen states that there is no evidence that the men were connected with enemy persons in the Commonwealth, but the internees, - who' are member s of the Irish Republican. Brotherhood, had collected money here to assist an armed rebellion in Ireland, the money being expended in the purchase of war material from Germany, with which country the leaders of the movement were in communica- . tion. Cabinet has decided that the detention of the internees is to be continued. (Received September 27, 7.25 p.m.) SYDNEY. September 27. . The Commission's report on the interned Irish says the leaders of tEe movement in Australia made use of the Irish National Association to furEher their aims,but it is not known that the rank and file of the association had any, knowledge of their communications with Germany. Referring to tho internee Thomas Dryer, the report says I his association with Germany was not from any love of Germany, but because; any means in his view was justifiable' to injure .Britain, whom the association regarded as an enemy and oppressor of Ireland. "Regarding the internee Maurice Daltonj the report expresses grave suspicion. A prescription for a fire dope similar to that used by the I.W.W. at Sydney was found in Dalton's possession and was obtained on the chance that it might come in useful to him. self or his comrades. The names of the interned men are—• Albert Thomas Dryer, Edmund McSweeney, Michael McGing, William McGuinness, Maurice Dalton, Prank McKeown, Thomas Fitzgerald. LEAGUE OF NATIONS DENOUNCED BY ADMIRAL VOW KOESTER. Banter's Telegrams. AMSTERDAM, September 26. Admiral von Koester, addressing the German Navy League, denounced tho idea of a League of Nations. Germany, he said, must have colonies after the war, with strong points of support, and must also have free trade on the seas under the protection of the German fleet.